Friday, June 27, 2014

The graduate of Skyview HS in Vancouver, on the comeback trail after surgery on her left knee after the 2012 London Olympics, won her fifth career USA national title, throwing 204-10 (62.43m) on the first full day of competition at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Cal State Sacramento.

The two time US Olympian opened with a toss of 185-11 (56.67m) then followed with a throw of 196-2 (59.79m) to take the lead in round two.

After Brittany Borman took the lead from her in the third stanza with a personal best of 203-7 (62.05m), Patterson retook the lead with her eventual winning toss of 204-10 (62.43m) to seal the victory.

In the finals, Borman fouled twice before throwing 198-7 in the sixth round, while Patterson threw over the 200-foot stripe on her final attempt, getting the spear out 204-4 (62.28m).

Patterson, who announced that she and Idaho alum and national class shot/discus thrower Russ Winger are engaged, stated that she will throw in at least four meets this summer--Lausanne, Harry Jerome in Burnaby, Lucerne, and Monaco.

On the bulky brace that she's worn all season to protect her left knee, she will continue to wear it until the end of this season.

In other finals, Washington State alum Blessing Ufodiama finished fourth in the triple jump (44-2, 13.46m), the same mark as defending champ Andrea Geubelle of University Place for fifth.

Sequim HS grad Stephanie Dinius was seventh in the women's 10000 in 32:56.14, while Bellingham native Jake Riley was ninth in the men's 10000 in 29:06.07.

Western Washington's duo of Katie Reichert (159-1, 48.50m) and Bethany Drake (155-8, 47.44m) are 13th and 15th overall in the javelin.

Those who advanced in qualifying Thursday included Rainier Beach HS grad Michael Berry in the 400 (45.43); Riley Masters (3:43.02) and Garrett Heath (3:44.98) of the Brooks Beasts in the men's 1500; Cas Loxsom (1:47.92) and Mark Wieczorek (1:47.62) of the Brooks Beasts in the 800.

We are honored to receive this award, as it comes from our peers who passionately cover the sport, and strive to continue the legacy of excellence that the late Adam Jacobs sought before his untimely passing.

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About Me

Internationally respected track and field writer Paul Merca brings his take on the sport to paulmerca.blogspot.com.
Paul was the assistant director of communications for the 1984 USA Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in Olympia, WA., and public relations director for the 1999 USA Cross Country Championships in Tacoma, WA.
The current public address announcer for the University of Washington's home track and field meets, Merca's been a media assistant to the USA national team (2001-11, 13, 15, 17) at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
His vast knowledge of the sport has been utilized by many of the country's sports television networks, and is a senior writer to Northwest Runner magazine. He's covered 13 IAAF World Track & Field Championships, and two Olympics.
Merca graduated from Seattle's Franklin High School in 1977, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1981 in Communications.
He competed in track and cross country at Franklin, and ran cross country at the University of Washington.